SteelSeries, known for their quality gaming peripherals, are bringing two new gaming keyboards to the market in the second quarter of 2013 – the Apex and Apex [RAW].

Made up of beautiful form and carefully optimized functions, the Apex and Apex [RAW] feature unique enhancements to the keyboards layout from low-profile keys, specially designed raised macros rows for quick access, and multiple layers of customization in colors and intensity. Built to deliver the world’s fastest reaction time and key combinations, the Apex features SteelSeries ActiveZone – a unique combination of programmability with visual support to better navigate the keyboard to win.

“We’re introducing a range of new gaming functionality with the Apex keyboards, including the new SteelSeries ActiveZone which allows for easier and faster access to advanced customization and features than ever before, ” said Bruce Hawver, SteelSeries CEO. “The SteelSeries Apex and Apex [RAW] have been designed to enable users to react quickly, move strategically, and adapt how these keyboards perform for every game.”

The Apex and Apex [RAW] strategically combine an adjusted layout, key enhancements, and bring fluidity to the way the users moves around the keyboard with:
- Raised macro keys along the top and left side, which provide faster and more precise macro combinations.
- The addition of two small tactile bumps on the W-key to provide a faster return to WASD.
- Superior anti-ghosting that supports simultaneous key presses in 20 of the most used gaming keys on the Apex and Apex [RAW].
- An enlarged space bar and added directional keys are supporting features that improve comfort and reaction time.
- The SteelSeries key easily adjusts brightness and disables the windows key with no software required.
- Equipped with two swappable feet, the user can adjust the keyboards angle to what is most comfortable.

The Apex Keyboard – $99.99/€99.99 MSRP
The SteelSeries Apex Gaming Keyboard goes beyond just choosing from 16.8 million colors, it features SteelSeries ActiveZone illumination, a visual support tool that allows the user to independently customize colors, up to 8 levels of illumination intensity in each of its 5 zones with up to 4 different, customizable layers per zone. With the ability to program every key including the 22-macro keys along the top and left side of the keyboard and up to 4 layers per key, users of the Apex now have 504 more ways to win. The Apex also features Independent media and volume keys provide instant access to media control.

The Apex [RAW] Keyboard – $69.99/€69.99 MSRP
Defined as the “essentials” keyboard, the SteelSeries Apex [RAW] brings users advanced, but not complex technology in an optimized design at an aggressive price point. The Apex [RAW] features brilliant white illumination with 8 levels of intensity. Users can also program every key on the Apex [RAW] including its 17 raised macro keys along the top and left side of the keyboard and up to 2 layers per key, to a total of 250 programmable keys on the board.

Supported by SteelSeries Engine, users have the technology support to easily customize, save, and perfect their gaming keyboard set-up. With advanced macro capabilities that are unique only to SteelSeries Engine, users have the ability to “Copy and Paste” macros optimized for entry in command lines for MMO games as well as create key-press macros with programmable timings and delays.

Users can create an unlimited number of profiles and define original features for each. Apex users can Define 4 Layers of macros, while Apex [RAW] users can define 2 layers per profile, allowing for advanced configurations per game profile and profiles can be defined so that they are automatically opened based on game that is being played. In addition to supporting illumination and/or intensity settings per layer per profile, users can also record statistics via a keyboard heat map to analyze game sessions and improve gameplay.